Security

These are all reasons why it is best to ignore strange text messages entirely.

Once you have a smart phone, you can prevent the ringer from ringing unless the person calling you is listed in your phone. This article explains how to silence unknown callers on an Android phone.

Once you set up your new login, the next time you return to Social Security, you can login using the “Sign in with LOGIN.GOV” button instead and your new credentials.

We recently had a client fall prey to a sophisticated Schwab Bank scam. They gave us permission to share this fraud story with you to hopefully prevent others from being scammed.

With one memorable password protecting a vault of random ones, you can increase your security immensely while only mildly complicating your access.

These are the seven rules to using a credit card safely.

The Schwab Bank representative said that he was familiar with these types of scams and knew how to handle it.

Protecting you from elder fraud is just one of the many services we can offer as a part of comprehensive financial planning.

This process works as the people in your contacts list are probably not scammers.

Schwab offers protection by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) and Lloyd’s of London for investment accounts and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) coverage for deposit accounts.

Here are the most common elder scams and how to prevent them.

Cyber security gravitates toward the low-hanging fruit of novice users. Even taking a few steps can greatly protect your accounts.

The only correct answer to Debit or Credit is “Credit!”

Here are some of the best practices to protect your identity.

I was always met with the following error message: “We cannot create an account for the Social Security number you entered.”

David John Marotta was interviewed on Radio 1070 WINA’s Schilling Show discussing the Equifax breach and Financial Peace University.

The result of this data breach is that anyone with this information will be able to pretend to be you and apply for credit in your name at any time in the future. There is only one way to guard yourself against this possibility: Lock down your credit.

None of these services makes up for the fact that your sensitive information has been accessed. And after this breach you should assume that every scam artist has all of your information.

Equifax admitted recently that hackers gained access to the sensitive identify and financial information in their database for 143 million people (44% of the U.S. population).

Here are nine steps you should take to make it more difficult for criminals and identity thieves to steal your personal information.

Here are some rules for handling your digital security.

“Debit or Credit?” is a trick question. There is only one right answer and it’s not the one that benefits the store whose asking.

What should you keep in your wallet? And what precautions should you take in case it gets lost or stolen?

Even if you think you have good credit, periodically check the facts on your credit report anyway. Your credit report will outline your full credit history. And it can help you verify you have not been the victim of identity theft.

As well as general online security, which includes a unique user name and password, and a system which locks you out if you guess the combination more than twice, Schwab has several optional verification methods.

A U.S. Public Interest Research Group report in 2004 found that one in four credit reports have serious errors that could significantly lower your chances of being approved.

Identity theft is becoming distressingly common as personal information becomes easier to swipe.

I was recently asked if investors should trust their financial advisors. And my short answer, you may be surprised to hear, was no. Your financial advisor should not also have custody of your investments.

Do whatever it takes. Ask your mother-in-law to hold your credit cards while you are getting out of debt.

Credit bureaus charge to see your credit score. Save your money.

Beware of bogus credit companies claiming to offer free credit reports in order to gather your personal information.